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Letters | As Hong Kong reopens, its gateway role remains its unrivalled edge
- Readers discuss the city’s prospects as it reopens to the world, and the challenges facing the aviation sector
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Recently, I delivered a speech in English to the Legislative Council. Our former colleague, Mr Abraham Shek Lai-him, a respected veteran of the Legco chamber, used to deliver speeches in English from time to time. It’s time some of us here picked up that tradition, especially because, on various occasions, we need to speak to the rest of the world, given Hong Kong’s very nature as an international city.
At the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month, President Xi Jinping delivered a remarkable speech. The congress marks the beginning of the era in which China embarks on a journey to build a modern socialist nation. No doubt China has made remarkable achievements in a range of areas over the past decade, including the economy, space exploration, technology and poverty alleviation.
Hong Kong has a role to play here. Having grappled with the pandemic, Hong Kong is reopening and beginning to bounce back.
The financial summit held earlier this month proved to be a success, with over 200 leaders from top financial institutions around the world in attendance. The Hong Kong Sevens was back after three years, thrilling the audience with astonishing touchdowns, breathtaking tackles and even careless knock-ons. There was the usual singing of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” as well as a rendition of the Cantonese song “Under the Lion Rock”.
I was delighted to join Hong Kong Legal Week from November 7-11. Unidroit, a renowned international legal institution, co-organised the first event of the week with the Department of Justice. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law also took part.
On November 17, Mr Luo Huining, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, in his speech at a seminar about the 20th National Congress, noted that cumulative foreign direct investment into the mainland via Hong Kong exceeded US$1.4 trillion at the end of 2021. As foreign businesses eye China’s market, Hong Kong will continue to play its role as the gateway to China.
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